New philosophy, crew added at DEI
By Lee Spencer, Foxsports.com
Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced on Tuesday major organizational moves designed to place greater emphasis on engineering and technology.
Dave Charpentier, 48, was promoted to Technical Director. Trained as a nuclear engineer during a seven-year career with the United States Navy, Charpentier is enjoying his second stint at DEI, having previously worked as an engineer for the organization. He has been with DEI for six seasons and has previously spent time with Sabco Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and PPI Motorsports among others.
"It's a position that I've aspired to — I just thought it would be further down the road," Charpentier said. "This job will give me the ability to contribute to four teams instead of just one.
"I've always been aggressive when it comes to advancing the technology of the cars and I believe this role will give me a better opportunity to do that."
Doug Randolph, who is currently crew chief for Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge, will assume the No. 15 crew chief's role for Paul Menard the Monday after Thanksgiving.
"Dave will play an integral role in the daily motor sports operations," said DEI Vice President John Story. "We've been looking for someone to fill that role for several months, but we had to wait until the end of the year to make that happen because we didn't want to interrupt the development of No. 15 team. This was perfect timing.
"We're taking the necessary steps now in order to go out and win a championship in 2008."
Along with crew changes, DEI is recommitting its investment in engineering in an effort to become more competitive in the future.
According to Charpentier, the organization will be divided into three separate tiers — race engineering, research and development, and project and design — to support the existing product. Walter Giles, who was the race engineer on the No. 1 Chevrolet, will be the director of race engineering. Kevin Buskirk is the director of research and development and oversees all the testing. Jason Anderson is director of design engineering.
Director of Motorsports Operations Rex Garrett, an 11-year DEI employee, is responsible for the company logistically, administratively and organizationally.
Richie Gilmore, Chief Operating Office of Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology, is currently on medical leave but is expected to return soon. He is scheduled to visit DEI on Wednesday.
"As soon as he feels better and is ready to contribute, we'll utilize him," said Max Siegel, President of Global Operations.
Siegel said Tuesday's moves are in response to listening to internal concerns and developing a strategy that makes "everyone accountable." Over the last year, DEI's facilities have grown to 500,000 sq. ft. and added three pull-down rigs and a seven-post machine, high-end equipment used to help teams effectively develop their chassis. The company has expanded from three teams to five squads — including a test team — and incorporated 29 engineers into the staff.
"We've been working on the plan for a long time," Siegel said. "We're putting a huge emphasis on engineering. If all of this doesn't speak to our commitment to motorsports, I don't know what will. The only way you achieve maximum success is when you have a common goal and respect among everyone in the company. You can complain all you want as long as you want to fix it.
"We're focused on the common goal of being the best — direction and focus. We want everyone to be behind us and this is just the next step."
By Lee Spencer, Foxsports.com
Dale Earnhardt Inc. announced on Tuesday major organizational moves designed to place greater emphasis on engineering and technology.
Dave Charpentier, 48, was promoted to Technical Director. Trained as a nuclear engineer during a seven-year career with the United States Navy, Charpentier is enjoying his second stint at DEI, having previously worked as an engineer for the organization. He has been with DEI for six seasons and has previously spent time with Sabco Racing, Hendrick Motorsports and PPI Motorsports among others.
"It's a position that I've aspired to — I just thought it would be further down the road," Charpentier said. "This job will give me the ability to contribute to four teams instead of just one.
"I've always been aggressive when it comes to advancing the technology of the cars and I believe this role will give me a better opportunity to do that."
Doug Randolph, who is currently crew chief for Bobby Labonte and the No. 43 Petty Enterprises Dodge, will assume the No. 15 crew chief's role for Paul Menard the Monday after Thanksgiving.
"Dave will play an integral role in the daily motor sports operations," said DEI Vice President John Story. "We've been looking for someone to fill that role for several months, but we had to wait until the end of the year to make that happen because we didn't want to interrupt the development of No. 15 team. This was perfect timing.
"We're taking the necessary steps now in order to go out and win a championship in 2008."
Along with crew changes, DEI is recommitting its investment in engineering in an effort to become more competitive in the future.
According to Charpentier, the organization will be divided into three separate tiers — race engineering, research and development, and project and design — to support the existing product. Walter Giles, who was the race engineer on the No. 1 Chevrolet, will be the director of race engineering. Kevin Buskirk is the director of research and development and oversees all the testing. Jason Anderson is director of design engineering.
Director of Motorsports Operations Rex Garrett, an 11-year DEI employee, is responsible for the company logistically, administratively and organizationally.
Richie Gilmore, Chief Operating Office of Earnhardt Childress Racing Technology, is currently on medical leave but is expected to return soon. He is scheduled to visit DEI on Wednesday.
"As soon as he feels better and is ready to contribute, we'll utilize him," said Max Siegel, President of Global Operations.
Siegel said Tuesday's moves are in response to listening to internal concerns and developing a strategy that makes "everyone accountable." Over the last year, DEI's facilities have grown to 500,000 sq. ft. and added three pull-down rigs and a seven-post machine, high-end equipment used to help teams effectively develop their chassis. The company has expanded from three teams to five squads — including a test team — and incorporated 29 engineers into the staff.
"We've been working on the plan for a long time," Siegel said. "We're putting a huge emphasis on engineering. If all of this doesn't speak to our commitment to motorsports, I don't know what will. The only way you achieve maximum success is when you have a common goal and respect among everyone in the company. You can complain all you want as long as you want to fix it.
"We're focused on the common goal of being the best — direction and focus. We want everyone to be behind us and this is just the next step."